So last weekend, daughter and I went interstate for a weekend- our first proper 'vacation" since I flew home to Australia 13 years ago with her still in utero!

It went off without a hitch despite my best efforts to worry it into disaster.

My mother had insisted that the airline we were flying with was "too cheap, very rough and a mistake", so we were pleased to discover that our plane was quite modern and comfortable. Based on her reviews of Jetstar we expected to find the pilot out on the tarmac winding up the propeller as we boarded, and that there would be an enormous rubber band stretching down the center aisle but instead it was the regular kind of plane with engines on the outside which was a lovely surprise.

We stayed with some friends...interestingly they are a couple I met and came to know as part of an online game some 10 years ago and have only met in person one time since- so I was pretty nervous about staying with them but, they're such lovely people and were so kind and welcoming. (They went above and beyond really). They collected us from the airport, took us out for breakfast on the Saturday, took us sightseeing (we saw a lot of Sydney in one day!!) and attended the nerd convention (the purpose of our trip) with us the next day. They lamented that we really hadn't had enough time to do much and asked us to come back for a longer visit and you know what? We really will. It's not difficult or expensive to get there so we're planning to go for a week early next year. Hooray!! Friends! Social engagements! Soul Food!!! 

I also had the chance to meet with another dear friend that until now I have only known as a pen-pal of sorts while I was there so it was a really positive and sociable journey. You know how you have "internet friends" and you often say 'one day we will meet" and it never comes to pass? Well it did last weekend and I love that things like this happen now; "one day' more and more frequently becomes "today". And there's something quite special about turning an 'online" friendship into a "real life" friendship I think. 

Abf stayed at my place while I was gone and was super helpful while I packed and stressed. He didn't make a fuss over me catching a cab to the airport and taking my car keys with me. When we returned the house was still standing, there was no mess of any note, the dog and cat were fed and happy and he said he'd taken the dog for 2 good long walks. My room smelt very faintly of cigarette smoke and he admitted to having had "just one" inside but the windows were all open and now I have a cold anyway and can't smell anything so, that worked out for the best too lol. By the time I can breath through my nose again the room should be well and truly aired out. He also stayed in touch via skype and was happy and up-beat which helped me relax and enjoy the trip. The day after we returned he washed all of his dishes and swept the floor without being prompted which was enough to make me wonder if we had returned to the wrong house really, lol! 

So all in all, what a success! I feel really good about it as it was a huge step out of my comfort zone and I feel as if it's the beginning of a new chapter of sorts. Now that we have done it once, I feel like we can do it again.

It also feels really good to have taken daughter on a trip for fun as previously she had been on several vacations with her father and I had a real "poor me" complex about it so this was taking the bull by the horns for me and I feel great about it.

On the way home I had a real sense that my HP was looking out for me. On the trip there I had been busting to pee but as there was a gentleman drunk and asleep in the aisle seat I had sat in considerable discomfort. As we boarded on the way home I said 'I so hope that this time there isn't anyone seated in the aisle seat" and lo and behold- the entire plane was full aside from the seat between me and the aisle. Uncanny! Then on the trip home I told daughter that I so wished there was another way to get home from the airport as the taxi is so expensive and the alternative was calling abf and disclosing the location of the hidden key...not a favored option however it was after midnight and we were so tired.... so anyway when we alighted at our cute little regional airport I saw a man behind a desk with a sign indicating he ran a shuttle service into town. I approached him to enquire about the cost thinking that I might be able to use it "next time"and he said "I'm going as soon as everyone has collected their baggage and I have 2 seats left" and he dropped us at our door for about 1/3 of the cost of a taxi. Apparently he picks up people in my area from their home before each flight out and drives them back after each arrival...(it's a teeny airport so only a few flights a day). How cool is that? And how amazing that he had precisely 2 seats remaining. Thanks HP

Anyway I'm super pleased that we made this trip and that it has opened doors for future trips and friendships and expanding my little world. What a very long way things have come from where they were 2 years ago when I first came here to MIP in complete misery!!! Thanks everyone for being a part of my journey.

And here of course are some pictures of our trip and the lovely people we met lol And yes, that's a close as it gets to a smile from my dear tweenager these days lol.

(((Everyone)))